I'm not sure if anyone can help me on this. I've never heard of a clam having a "fused" shell before.
I've had this clam for a lot of years but don't remember just how long.
A few years ago when I knocked over the clam and the rock it is affixed to, I noticed something sticking out of the shell at one end.
It actually looked like two halves of a clam shell that were quite flat. There was a definite space between the two sides, at least for about the 1/4 of an inch I could see between.
I tried to pull this piece out, but it seemed to be fastened, and, within a fraction of a second, the clam closed up tight on it anyway.
After failing to get it out many times, I finally gave up as it didn't seem to affect the clam in any way.
Now this summer when I came back from holidays a month and a half ago, I noticed the clam not opening up. After a few days, being concerned that a water problem existed, I did all the testing I could do, noting also that the larger squamosa clam, the corals, inverts and fish showed no sign of any problem. Calcium was a little low at around 325 (seachem test) but that is normal after being away for a couple of weeks and no limewater dosing every night for that period.
I again tried to remove the appendage, and it was in tight, but I noticed the clam instantly withdrew the little exposure it had, but the shell halves didn't move together.
I tried very forcefully to remove the appendage and it broke from the clam but is still attached by sinuey material and hanging there now.
At this point I could now see that the shell has become fused at this end and the shell halves are impossible to open or close without breakage.
I'm wondering if there are any hobbyists who have experienced anything similar and have a remedie available.
The only thought I have is that the clam may end up dying anyway, so I could buy a dremel tool and try to "cut" away the fusion on that end, to see if the clam could function normal again.
I don't know what I would experience if I cut in a touch too deep.
In the first pic, you can see the still attaced piece hanging sideways just below the mushroom on the clam. It used to be sticking straight out.
Sorry for the pic quality but with a 1.2 camera that's the best I can do.
I've had this clam for a lot of years but don't remember just how long.
A few years ago when I knocked over the clam and the rock it is affixed to, I noticed something sticking out of the shell at one end.
It actually looked like two halves of a clam shell that were quite flat. There was a definite space between the two sides, at least for about the 1/4 of an inch I could see between.
I tried to pull this piece out, but it seemed to be fastened, and, within a fraction of a second, the clam closed up tight on it anyway.
After failing to get it out many times, I finally gave up as it didn't seem to affect the clam in any way.
Now this summer when I came back from holidays a month and a half ago, I noticed the clam not opening up. After a few days, being concerned that a water problem existed, I did all the testing I could do, noting also that the larger squamosa clam, the corals, inverts and fish showed no sign of any problem. Calcium was a little low at around 325 (seachem test) but that is normal after being away for a couple of weeks and no limewater dosing every night for that period.
I again tried to remove the appendage, and it was in tight, but I noticed the clam instantly withdrew the little exposure it had, but the shell halves didn't move together.
I tried very forcefully to remove the appendage and it broke from the clam but is still attached by sinuey material and hanging there now.
At this point I could now see that the shell has become fused at this end and the shell halves are impossible to open or close without breakage.
I'm wondering if there are any hobbyists who have experienced anything similar and have a remedie available.
The only thought I have is that the clam may end up dying anyway, so I could buy a dremel tool and try to "cut" away the fusion on that end, to see if the clam could function normal again.
I don't know what I would experience if I cut in a touch too deep.
In the first pic, you can see the still attaced piece hanging sideways just below the mushroom on the clam. It used to be sticking straight out.
Sorry for the pic quality but with a 1.2 camera that's the best I can do.
